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Keeping your car well maintained and tuned up is the key to avoiding costly repairs and mechanical breakdowns. Whether you own a car you’ve had for years, or just leased a brand new vehicle, you will need to find on a good mechanic to help you take care of it. But what exactly makes a mechanic good?

Make sure you receive excellent customer service. You want your mechanic to be able to talk to you when you call or stop in. If calls are not returned in a timely fashioned, or questions are not answered, you might want to look elsewhere.

Look for a mechanic who is knowledgeable in the field. You want a mechanic who knows everything you do not know about cars and car maintenance. Find out what kind of cars he or she works on, how busy the shop is, and how long you have to wait for an appointment. Get an idea of whether automobiles are a passion for this mechanic, or just a job that pays the bills. Look for someone who is excited to be doing what he or she is doing.

Ask for referrals. Talk to friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors about their mechanics. If someone has a great one, they will likely be happy to share the information with you. They will also be happy to tell you who to stay away from, if they had a particularly bad experience.

Look for honest explanations when it comes to costs and charges. Make sure the mechanic can explain to you how labor is billed and parts are charged. Find out if they have a courtesy shuttle or loaner cars available while they work on yours.

When you find a mechanic you like and trust, be willing to spread the news. That will help keep your mechanic in business, and keep your relationship friendly and cooperative.